Trick or Treat

That evening, Via checks on August, who says he is too sick to go trick-or-treating, an activity he usually loves because a mask lets him blend in. She finds him lying in bed, his costumes discarded, and senses his distress goes beyond nausea.

Via gently probes and learns August overheard boys saying cruel things at school. The real wound is that Jack Will, whom August thought was his best friend, joined in. August spirals into anger and self-loathing, calling himself a freak and declaring he hates school.

Via counters his despair, telling August not to use that word about himself and suggesting Jack may not have meant it. She lets him vent, then comforts him as Daisy licks away his tears. Via proposes attending the Halloween parade to lift his spirits, assuring him their mother won’t force him back to school if he isn’t ready.

After initial resistance and a brief flare-up over mixing up Star Wars character names, August yields. Via helps him into his Boba Fett costume, adjusting straps and belt. Once the helmet is on, August’s mood improves, and they prepare to go out, marking a small but meaningful step back toward normalcy.